Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

LEAST, adj., adv. Also lest, laest (I.Sc.), laist. [lest]

I. adj. As in Eng. Double superl. form laestest (Sh. 1960).s.Sc. 1862 H. S. Riddell St Matthew v. 19:
Ane o' the laist o' thae commaun'ments.Sh. 1897 Shetland News (21 Aug.):
Fur my ain pairt I dünna believe hit i' da laestest.Arg.² 1931:
Gie us the leastest wee nip o' that.

II. adv. At least (Ork. 1960). Hence leasthoo; leastways, -wise, id. (Ork., Bnff., Ags., m.Lth., Wgt., Uls. 1960). Rare or dial. in Eng.Ags. 1858 People's Journal (27 Feb.) 2:
She will aye hae her ain way in the end, leasthoo such has ever been the hymeneal experience.Gsw. 1860 J. Young Poorhouse Lays 38:
As I ha'e Latin waddled thro' — Least thro' the rough o't, made a clearance.Abd. 1872 J. G. Michie Deeside Tales 172:
Leastwise, I never heard tell o' sic a thing.Fif. 1894 D. S. Meldrum Margrédel xvii.:
Leastways, I never seed him 'tween the een afore.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (26 Nov.):
Laest, dat wis what I tought whin I heard you as I cam in.